Monday, September 1, 2008

Hurricanes And Her-icanes, I'll Take The Latter

Hurricane Gustav hit the Louisiana coast this morning as a category three hurricane with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. As of yet, there seems to be a sense that the gulf coast will come out of this in much better shape than they did when Katrina hit. The final tallies are not in yet, but things look good. My hopes and prayers go out to those affected by the storm.

My Friday journey to AREA 51 was different from my usual weekend sojourns. I decided to go Saturday evening to Alcazaba in Coral Cables, a place I used to go to many years ago. The club has been resurrected and it was packed. Alcazaba is located in the Hyatt Regency, a five star hotel and resort near Miami. It's non-stop music and dancing with a another bar called Two Sisters next to it. Alcazaba is a mix of all types of music and dancing and Two Sisters is a salsa and meringue bar.

The good thing about both bars is that there are a number of French doors leading out into the terrace area. The terrace also has a bar and one can escape the noise for a bit or possibly have a private conversation with one of the many lovely ladies that were in attendance.

Although a little on the expensive side (drinks were $11 and up), it was well worth the expense for the excellent atmosphere and elegance. It was a very enjoyable evening and I made it home before the paper boy (just barely).

Phil Hill, the American-born 1961 Formula One champion and three-time 24 hours of Le Mans, died last Thursday, August 28 of complications from Parking disease. Hill also was a three-time winner of the Sebring twelve-hour race and a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Hill was a true gentleman and champion in every sense of the word.

                                     

Billy Mays is a commercial announcer who I've learned to hate. This bearded motor mouth seems to be on every commercial that possibly exists. Has a loud, one-toned method of delivery that makes you want to stick a sharp pencil in your ear. I'm afraid if I were to hear him in person, I would be forced to strangle him with my bare hands! Whew ! I feel better now.

                       

The Cat's Ass Trophy (CAT) Award had one nomination which was made by Woody, author of Old Woody's Boomer Page. He nominated China Arnold, who was convictedFriday of killing her one month old daughter, Paris Talley, by burning her in a microwave in 2005. How sad that an infant's life was senselessly ended by a some dimwitted Neanderthal who shouldn't have been permitted to breed in the first place. The CAT Award goes to China Arnold.  

The Pictures: I downloaded some pictures of the Hyatt Regency and Alcazaba so you could get an idea of the resort. Of course, there's also a few of my eclectic selections for your dining and dancing pleasure.

This Date In History: 1807; Former American vice president Aaron Burr is acquitted on charges of treason in his alleged attempt to set up an independent republic in Spanish territory in the Southwest. 1923; A major earthquake nearly destroys the city of Yokohama, Japan, as well as much of nearby Tokyo. More than 100,000 people die in the quake.

1939; Nazi Germany begins World War II with its invasion of Poland. The invasion will lead Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later. 1972; Bobby Fischer becomes the first American to win the world chess championship when he defeats Soviet champion Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland.

1983; In one of the last major incidents of the Cold War, a Soviet fighter plane shoots down Korean Air Lines flight 007, killing all 269 on board, after it strays into Soviet air space.

Birthdays: Special birthday wishes for my pal, Rosa and my pal, Hector, both of whom had birthdays this past Saturday (19XX), Gentleman Jim Corbett, boxing champion (1866), Edgar Rice Burroughs, novelist and creator ot Tarzan (1875), Walter Reuther, labor leader (1907), Rocky Marciano, heavyweight champion boxer (1923), Lily Tomlin, comedienne (1939).

The Hits Just Keep On Coming: Thanks to my pal, Beverly for the following story.

A woman in her forties went to a plastic surgeon for a face-lift. The surgeon told her about a new procedure called 'The Knob,' where a small knob is placed on the top of a woman's head and can be turned to tighten up her skin to produce the effect of a brand new face lift. Of course the woman wanted 'The Knob.'
 
Over the course of the years, the woman kept tightening the knob, and the effects were wonderful, and the woman remained young-looking and vibrant. After fifteen years, the woman returned to the surgeon with two problems.
 
“All these years, everything has been working just fine. I've had to turn the knob many times and I've always loved the results. But now, I've developed two   annoying problems: First, I have these terrible bags under my eyes and the knob won't get rid of them.”
 
The doctor looked at her closely and said, “Those aren't bags, those are your breasts.”
 
“Well,' She said, 'I guess there's no point in asking about the goatee.”

                                                              Gif - Monk 2

That's it for today my little moonpies. More tomorrow.

Stay Tuned !

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, I got Billy Mays in full screen (scream) and couldn't get him off.  I can't stand this guy.  Anne

Anonymous said...

Billy mays is suffering from ed, just trying to make money to buy enzytes and when he is smiling bigger than bob, i heard he is running for prez in 2012!

Anonymous said...

I can barely stand Bill Mays either~how did he get that job anyway?  I see someone took a pictures of you & your lady friend out by the pool (#6) and then later dancing the night away (#10).  That's nice. I think it's Hanna that's right behind Gustav....heading for Miami or so I heard. The only weather phenomenon here is that it got down to 45* last night.  The furnace actually kicked on a couple times during the night. And I put a little fire in the wood stove today because I had to much computer stuff to do today, and it's just a little over 60*...I was freezing.  Well, I guess it's back to the "salt mine" for you tomorrow, huh?   Linda in WA  

Anonymous said...

At first I thought I wanted a knob. After all I could wear a hat over it. Now I don't want a knob. Funny joke for this afternoon. Paula

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures!  Classy atmosphere, so it was worth the pricey drinks!

What is it????  Is all the good hang outs in your neck of the woods?

Everytime, a great place opens up in Boca.....it's closed within a month and some were really nice places.

Glad you had a good weekend.  You didn't mention the former classmate....did she show up with her girlfriend???

Hugs, Rose

Anonymous said...

My heart and prayers goes out to the  of the storms and I hope all that goes well for them and I so agree with you I hate that guy and he is always on late night ugh , thank you for your loving comments while I was sick ..
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

It seems that New Orleans really dodged a bullet with this storm. There are other areas that have been and will be severely affected, but so far, so good for the Big Easy. Looks like there are a few levee issues, so we'll all keep our fingers crossed for one of the greatest cities in the U.S.!!

Beth

Anonymous said...

It's been awful watching the news of the hurricane on tv, my heart goes out to the people there, I can only imagine how it must be not knowing what to do for the best.

Loved the joke as usual, that surely has to be one that my brother wouldn't have heard yet!  Love, Pat   http://journals.aol.co.uk/pm71blackfen/ramblings-from-pat/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the flowers!! <smile> That was a nice ending to another day of hell at school! Plus, I'm behind in reading your journal!

I agree with the CAT award!

I agree with you about Billy Mays. He is as bad at the Ronco guy in the 70's.

It looks like you had a wonderful time Friday night! What a beautiful hotel!

Luv ya!
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Man, if you were younger...Florida better watch out!  I can't keep up with you.  How do you keep up with you!!??
xoxo ~Myra

Anonymous said...

Dear Jimmy, interesting entry..
I was horrified to read the bit about Hitler and Poland...
He still strikes terror and horror in many hearts.
have a good weekend
nat